#kinchaku

[2gredvisions]

Elise In A Yukata - by ME

Outfit Reference:

- Cream’s yukata outfit from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

[morethansalad]

Vegan Spicy Mochi Kinchaku Stew | トッポギ風餅巾着鍋

This stew is inspired by Japanese nabe and Korean tteokbokki. It has a variety of veggies, tofu, and mochi kinchaku, similar to Japanese nabe/hot pot which includes lots of veggies and protein. The flavor of the stew is inspired by Korean tteokbokki which is a dish of rice cakes cooked in a spicy red sauce.

[park-tokyo]

【 終了しました 】 Kinchaku to inu 個展 『ほっとするね、ゆるまるね』 2024.01.31 WED - 02.11 SUN @ PARK GALLERY

▼ 東京・末広町の PARK GALLERY では、2024年1月31日（水）より、『巾着（きんちゃく）』を中心に作品を発表しているハンドメイドブランド『kinchaku to inu』（きんちゃくといぬ）による展示『ほっとするね、ゆるまるね』を開催します。 大好きな犬をはじめ、身近で愛くるしい動物たちの、個性豊かな表情をモチーフに巾着づくりを行う kinchaku to inu。「一緒に暮らす仲間を見つけてもらえたら」と願いを込めて手作りされた巾着は、私たちがひとりひとり違うように、１つとして同じものがありません。 そして１つ２つと持っていれば何かと便利な巾着は常に持ち歩くことで、仲間としての愛情もきっと高まります。 今回は新作の野菜シリーズも登場。ライブイベントと併せて、たくさんの巾着とここに集まる巾着仲間が展示を盛り上げます。 kinchaku to inu の「かわいい」だけじゃない巾着の世界をお楽しみください。 —–

巾着を見るたびほっとする。 紐をゆるめるたび、心もゆるまる。

お気に入りの巾着と過ごす毎日は、 ちょっぴりだけどいつもより心づよくてあったかい。

同じ子がひとつといないたくさんの巾着と一緒に、 あたたかくてたのしい空間をつくってお待ちしています。

一緒に生活する仲間を見つけてもらえますように。 kinchaku to inu

—–

kinchaku to inu 個展『ほっとするね、ゆるまるね』 2024年1月31日（水）～2月11日（日）

場所：PARK GALLERY（東京・末広町 / 湯島） 東京都千代田区外神田3-5-20

＜入場無料＞ 営業時間：13時〜20時 定休日：月・火曜

最寄駅：東京メトロ 銀座線・末広町駅（徒歩約5分）千代田線・湯島駅（徒歩約7分） JR 秋葉原駅 / 電気街口（徒歩約10分） JR 御茶ノ水駅 / 聖橋口（徒歩約12分） — – kinchaku to inu（きんちゃくといぬ） 神奈川生まれ。物心ついたころから巾着集めが趣味。 2020年夏に自分の理想とする巾着がほしくなり自分用として巾着作りをはじめる。 2020年冬吉祥寺 PARCO のフリーマーケットで初めて販売したところ「かわいい」と共感してもらえたことがうれしすぎて、その後巾着作家としての活動をはじめる。 https://instagram.com/kinchaku_to_inu https://twitter.com/kinchaku_to_inu

[mono-blogs-art]

Did you know that NHK has officially published recipes from Tsukutabe?

Cuz I sure as hell didn't. I happened to see an announcement from them in anticipation for season 2 of the series (which starts tomorrow!!) and I wanted to share! The official website of the drama series gives recipes for many of the recipes from season 1 of the show (most of which are the same dishes or very similar to the original manga). They're all in Japanese, but you can get pretty reasonable instructions with a translate tool. Here they are!

Nomoto-san's Giant Lu Rou Fan (braised pork over rice) from episode 1

Nomoto-san's Giant Omurice from episode 2

Nomoto-san & Kasuga-san's Grilled Riceballs with Sendai Miso from episode 2

Nomoto-san's Whole Pumpkin Pudding from episode 4

Nomoto-san's Kinchaku Eggs (eggs in fried tofu pouches) from episode 5

Nomoto-san's Harako Meshi (salmon rice topped with salmon roe) from episode 6

Nomoto-san's Stollen-style Pound Cake from episode 7

Nomoto-san's Roast Beef from episode 9

I'm really happy I found out about these, definitely gonna recreate some of these!! I already made the miso riceballs once when I was rewatching the show with my roommate, and we just used some recipe we found online. Now we have the legit version :D Definitely wanna make the pumpkin pudding someday. I'm super happy this exists even though it doesn't have all the recipes from the show, like for the udon that Kasuga makes for Nomoto, or their homemade gyoza. I hope they'll continue releasing recipes for the dishes of season 2 as it airs as well!

[gfmima]

category : 米哈游 原神 work title : “love bites”? more like, love does bite, eh?

humiliating. mortifying. there’s no other way to describe the sight of the nation’s number one detective, self-proclaimed, moseying down the city’s main thoroughfares in the middle of his work break. it was tough to figure out if he was simply aloof or ignorant of his surroundings.

bystanders gasp in shock as heads turn to look at the awful sight of him.

the icing on the cake was how he wore them in pride, as if it was a medal of honor he had won by merit. his little idiosyncrasies were expected by the residents of narukami island and his agreeable personality made it easier to bear, though this was going too far.

heizō’s flagrant show of what transpired on your late-night rendezvous prompted a wide range of responses. some were indifferent, others were downright scandalized by how shameless he was to carry himself in broad daylight… there are children here!

the elder citizens clutch their sango pearls in horror. what a time to be alive! a member of the tenryou commission had chosen to roam the streets while flaunting such blue marks littered all over his neck with great delight.

“oh, may the almighty raiden shogun have mercy on us all,” a graying woman prays to herself, wise eyes turn shut after the quick show of his bruised skin when he strides past her in the direction of the komore teahouse.

“celestia knows we need it.”

the highly esteemed tengu kujou sara thought of chastising him for his less than savory appearance once she caught wind of the snickering in the background. it was considered dishonorable to the kujou clan after all, a giant offense even. however, she was at a loss for words; too embarrassed over the suggestive nature of these blemishes.

hence, she placed the burden onto you instead.

wonderful.

“darling…”

“lovely…”

“light of my life? fine. i can speak for the two of us anyway,” heizō puffs his cheeks then sighs out loud, “in all honesty, i don’t understand why i’m the bad guy here. i didn’t do anything wrong?!” he shakes his head. “i’m willing to argue this goes against protocol since it involves my personal life and—HUH?”

your hands planted on either side of his face, squishing it to stop him from rambling on and on and on.

“heizou?”

“hmph?”

“shut up.”

you lean back to study your work.

he was very lucky you decided to bring your hand kinchaku today. without it, he would’ve been out of commission for a day or two. and although the beauty product failed to properly conceal the love bites, it did a pretty decent job. it was now impossible to see unless you squinted.

“please stop making this more difficult than it should be.” 

“b-but! why would you wish to conceal the evidence of your love for me?” you roll your eyes. how dramatic. heizou stares at you with a pitiful yet endearing look of desperation on his face. “it ISN’T noticeable, in fact, much of it is hidden by my collar.”

“don’t care, you’re the tenryou commission detective,”  you mumble, refusing to succumb to his request no matter how cutely he refutes the comments about his public indecency. “it’s inappropriate for you to come to work looking like this.”

“well, you weren’t thinking that last n—OUCH!” he pulls out the theatrics, massaging the spot you pinched with the sulk of sulkiest pout known to mankind. “it was the truth!”

a nosy architect observes and gives him a quick once-over, “i see you’ve woken up on the right side of the bed today.”

wanderer scoffs at him then returns his focus to the grand sage’s discussion with you on the akademiya’s renovation plans to accommodate more students by supplying better facilities. his gaze lingers on you instead, and kaveh wasn’t blind to his actions.

from the moment you stepped inside the room together, he sensed a change in the air. it was… eye-opening? to say the least.

he overheard the personal aid of lesser lord kusanali wasn’t the most pleasant of companions, yet you enter with a coy expression, which is rare for the recently elected sage of the rtawahist darshan.

“oh?”

kaveh draws his bottom lip between his teeth. it was fun to see the infamous man grow increasingly irritated by his inquisitive stare. “there is no need to get defensive. i’m not interested in what you and the new sage do in your outside of work… especially when you two are consenting adults.”

wanderer glares.

“right side of your face, below your ear.”

in an attempt to be as invisible to the naked eye as possible, he cranes his head downward in hopes that his hat obscures his face as he checks his reflection on the smooth marble flooring to figure out what the nosy blond was going on about.

upon seeing what he did, heat rushed into his system and dusted his cheeks.

the moron was telling the truth, he inwardly scoffs; a faint bruise paints his neck directly below his ear, leaving little to no room for interpretation.

it was loud and clear.

wanderer was thrown off his balance by its presence that he was hardly able to react to the architect’s snickering next to him. no number of years in this world could’ve prepared him for this tricky situation.

(he secretly adored it!)

he appreciated the lengths you went to let him understand how much you wanted him, desired him, but my goodness, couldn’t you have chosen a less noticeable part of his body?

perhaps his lower stomach?

maybe even his chest area?

there was no saving him now… he spent his morning hiking through the streets tending to nahida’s errands like checking on the welfare of its citizens, so he was hilariously late on conjuring up a fool-proof plan to hide it.

everyone and their mother saw it by now. he could only pray the opposite happened for the young archon.

he was abruptly removed from his thoughts by the sound of you bidding alhaitham farewell; doe-like eyes make contact with his wordless agreement to meet one another in private after the this.

he didn’t want to be too obvious, so he waited for everyone to finish their business and leave before he moved, thinking he could walk away scot-free.

alas, he spoke too soon.

“have a wonderful evening, my friend!” kaveh greets loud enough for many heads to turn and stare at him curiously.

he was definitely going to have a word with nahida about the grand sage’s associate.

[nyc-looks]

Ashley, 34

“I’m wearing a vintage haori jacket that I found a at flea market in Japan, mesh dress from a shop called (me) in Tokyo, the top is from Ziran, vintage Levi’s from Stella Dallas, shoes from Shop Pêche, kinchaku bag from a vintage shop in Tokyo, and I made all the jewelry for my brand Aveta Studio. I’m currently inspired by Tokyo and Shanghai street style.”

May 6, 2023 ∙ Williamsburg

[japanese-plants]

Drawstring kinchaku pouch with forget-me-not design

[hotwaterandmilk]

Series: Magic Knight Rayearth Artist: CLAMP Publication: Nakayoshi Magazine (12/1994) Details: Mini Kinchaku Source: Scanned from personal collection

[fallensnowfan]

Saw a comment about this shot of a bowl of oden from the new opening. The two ingredients in it are Ganmodoki and Mochi Kinchaku, the favorite foods of Izo and Ashura Doji respectively.

I really love that detail.

Wonder if the anime will expand on this scene when it gets there.

The floor is wood, rather than tatami, and the bowl is a different color from those Sanji has in the opening, also is not on a table, so this is likely not inside the castle. Perhaps this is the shrine Kin and Kawamatsu visit in the new ending.

[slkimono]

The Oneechan's Yukata Harvest | The Oneechan's Obi Harvest

Tabi gift | Geta (Golden)

kisetsu - Kinchaku Purse - Momiji

tram E816 hair / jetblack (size40) LadyHead.ReMod! 3.0 *Asian - TBSheep [BODY] Classic (f) (1.6) LH.RM! 3.0 *Asian Shape - TBSheep Saya Skin Tattoo01

[missmyloko]

About a maiko's or geiko's kago/kinchaku bag: some women seem to change the fabric every few months, but how does this work? As far as I understand it, the fabric itself is like a tenugui. But when they go to the shop to change it, does the shop owner just do so right away or do geimaiko own multiple kago?

Both! Geimaiko are known to have two kago throughout the year: one for winter months and one for summer. You are correct in that the fabric is actually tenugui, so they simply bring it to a designated store and have them changed out for new designs ^^

[madamemachikonew]

This is an old fluffy chapter from my Enjou x fem Reader fic, The Lies of Handsome Men. But since it's Tanabata I'm giving it a bump.

This chapter is SFW but be warned that some chapters of the fic are R18 only.

Enjou sat in the shade of the tree outside his cabin reading a book, his yukata open at the chest while he lazily fanned himself. While he loved the summer heat, the Inazuma humidity was a little unpleasant for his tastes. Still, he’d take it any day over the severe winters that would blow through with their incessant rain and lightning. He yawned and then lay back in the soft grass, resting his forearm across his brow. A nice little nap would go down a treat while he caught some rays.

He later awoke to the sensation of you gently petting his head. As his eyes cracked open, he saw you sitting on the grass by his side, peering down at him with a soft smile. He smiled back up at you in recognition. You leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on his mouth. He laid a hand on the back of your head to keep you there a moment while he indulged in your affections. After a moment, you gently broke away and he suddenly realised that the sun was going down.

“Oh, I must have been out for ages.” he said hazily as he started to sit up.

You laughed softly and said, “It’s time to get ready, darling.”

He smiled and nodded as he rose to his feet and you both went into the cabin to freshen up for your outing into Inazuma City for the Tanabata festival. Because this wasn’t a shrine festival per se, the two of you could dress up and fully immerse yourselves in the atmosphere. Enjou wore an indigo cotton yukata with a coloured firework pattern dyed onto it, making him look very elegant despite its casual style. You decided to opt for a refreshing white yukata, with peach and yellow peonies and a contrasting turquoise obi. After carefully styling your hair, you applied some fancier make-up than usual. Once Enjou had locked the house, he gave your cheek a light kiss, making you glow with a warm blush which made him chuckle in turn.

As you walked together, hand in hand and swinging your kinchaku bag with every step, you explained the origins of the festival to Enjou.

“You see, it’s actually based on a legend from Liyue, about two unfortunate lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi. Orihime was the daughter of Tentei, the Sky King, and she spent her days weaving beautiful cloth on the banks of the Milky Way which flowed like a river. But because she worked all the time, she got sad because she thought she’d never be able to meet someone and fall in love. Her father decided to arrange a meeting with Hikoboshi, a cowherd who lived on the opposite side of the Milky Way. It was love at first sight and they got married, but because they were spending all their time together, they neglected their work. So her father separated them again.”

“That’s a little unjust.” said Enjou, with a frown, “He got them together to begin with. Did he want her to be happy or not?”

“Right? But of course, they were so in love that instead of resuming their work, they simply got depressed and started pining for one another. So, eventually, Tentei promised Orihime that they could meet for one night a year if they worked hard. So every year, they meet in the sky on Tanabata.”

“What a terribly cruel existence.” replied Enjou.

“Mm. And to make matters worse, if it ever rains on Tanabata, the legend says they can’t meet.”

“The legend inflicts more misery on them? Haven’t they suffered enough?”

“Well, the first time they tried to meet, there wasn’t any bridge over the river so they couldn’t cross it. Orihime cried so much that a flock of magpies offered to form a bridge so she could be reunited with her husband. If it rains, that means the water will rise too high for them to make a bridge, so they have to wait another year to meet.”

“You mean her father would make them wait a whole year rather than simply shifting the date to a day it wasn’t raining? Utter tyranny. And this is celebrated as being romantic? A festival for lovers?”

“Yes. It’s considered peak devotion and constancy. The festival is to celebrate their reunion.”

He shook his head in bewilderment.

“I suppose I’ll never fully understand Inazuman customs.” he muttered.

The streets of Inazuma City were lined with food stalls to feed the hungry crowds; grilled meat and squid on skewers, castella cakes, taiyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, karaage, takoyaki, and of course plenty of ice cold beer and brightly coloured sparkling ramune. The two of you strolled from stall to stall, enjoying an array of food and snacks with some bottles of beer.

Outside each store was a display with tall bamboo branches decorated with festive paper chains and little paper tags which fluttered and spun in the evening breeze as they proudly declared everyone’s wishes for the future. Some more stalls were selling souvenirs, pinwheels and festival masks. You picked out a white fox mask, its features hand-painted in red, black and gold. Enjou picked out a black one for himself. You wore yours at a slant on the side of your head, whereas Enjou wore his over his face, playfully enjoying the idea of roaming incognito among the populace, as if he didn’t already technically do that every single day. And yet, a familiar voice cut through the crowd as you passed the kitsune ramen stand.

“Ah, good evening Enjou san. So nice to see a pair of lovers out on Tanabata.”

You turned to see Yae Miko seated on a high stool enjoying a bowl of ramen. Had you been able to see Enjou’s eyes properly, you would have seen that they were wide with surprise at having been recognised. He was momentarily speechless, making Yae Miko laugh elegantly behind her hand, a set of chopsticks in the other.

“How did you-?” he stammered.

“Did you honestly think that I wouldn’t know your true face under that mask. Or indeed any mask for that matter?”

She stooped over her bowl and slurped the noodles nonchalantly. By now you were well-accustomed to her teasing suggesting she knew about his Abyssal nature, so it did not bother you in the same way it used to. She clearly had no ambitions to lose good revenue if Enjou wasn’t causing any trouble. Of course, that didn’t mean that she didn’t enjoy watching people squirm. But ultimately, she decided to put him out of his misery on this occasion.

“I recognised your sweetheart.”

Enjou let out a gentle sigh as he relaxed a little.

She added, “Have you made your wishes yet?”

“Erm, not yet.” you replied, “We thought we’d take in the atmosphere a little first.”

“Well don’t leave it too late, or the night will be over and you’ll miss your chance.” she sang.

You both smiled as you excused yourselves and bid her good evening. As the two of you strolled, you stopped by the Ogura Textile shop, browsing their summer hairpins and other seasonal accessories, like fans and decorative obidome. Enjou helped you pick out a pretty kanzashi with handmade silk flowers. After he had paid, he wore a look of supreme contentment and pride as he slid it into your hair. The admiration was clear in his eyes as he looked at the woman he prized above all else, looking so radiant and happy. And all because of him. Ogura Mio discreetly pretended to rearrange the displays with a smile so as not to impinge on this lovers’ moment. But before the two of you left, she cheerfully called out to you.

“Ah! Before you go, would you like to add a tanzaku to the wish tree?”

She gestured to the colourful yet elegant bamboo display, which had been reserved for the wishes of her customers.

“That would be lovely!” you replied enthusiastically.

She offered you both a box containing strips of paper, so you could select which colour you both wanted. But that was the easy part. As you both stood, with calligraphy brushes in hand, the two of you hummed in contemplation as to which wish to declare. It felt strangely selfish to write a wish, and you felt self-conscious because it would be on display, even if nobody would know it was yours. And yet, writing something altruistic felt insincere and performative.

“Hmm…” you said, lightly tapping the handle of the brush against your cheek pensively.

Enjou was similarly stuck for inspiration. Truthfully he had all he wanted for now. But after a moment, his brush started to move across the little slip. Seeing his inspiration, you decided to write down the only thing that you really wanted.

With an excited flutter in your tummy, you both tied your wishes to the rustling branches of bamboo using a piece of silk thread. Enjou gave you a mischievous smile as he tried to peek at your wishing slip, making you blush and cover it protectively with your hands.

“Hey!” you whined playfully, making him chuckle.

In the end you relented and let him look, as you read his tanzuki in turn. Each one putting the needs of the other first, you had both wished for each other’s happiness. That was all that either of you really wanted in order to be happy yourselves. Enjou’s face brightened with a soft, but satisfied smile as he read your wishing slip before he looked over at you, then planted an affectionate kiss on your cheek, before wrapping his arm snugly around your waist as you left the store together.

On the walk out of the city, you stopped by Naganohara’s firework shop to pick up some sparklers. Enjou was unfamiliar with them, but they were a fun summer tradition of your childhood that you thought he might enjoy. You used to play a game where you and some friends would all light the sparklers at the same time, and whoever’s one remained alight the longest won. There was never any prize to speak of beyond bragging rights or maybe some snacks. But it was innocent fun and a magical way to while away an evening together.

You and Enjou found a quiet spot on the beach to sit down. Across the water, you could both see Amakane Island, where the larger firework festival would be held later in the summer. With a snap of his fingers and a contented smile, he produced a flame from which to light the sparklers. As they fizzed and crackled, they illuminated both your smiles. When the sparkle started to make its way down to the bottom of the stick you both started cheering on your own one until finally, Enjou’s was the first to go out. Both of you laughed at your little game as he put an arm around you and drew you close, gazing into your eyes with a warm smile. Holding your cheek with a gentle touch, he leaned in and pressed the most tender kiss to your mouth, one which conveyed a sincere and earnest love. His lips moved slowly and sensuously against yours as he held the kiss as long as he could, taking his time to pour all of his heart into it. When he finally pulled back, he rubbed your soft cheek with the pad of his thumb as his eyes searched yours, as if looking for something. His lips parted slightly, as if hesitating to say the next words, and a small frown creased the space between his eyebrows.

“My love…if...if ever we need to part one day, I promise I’ll do everything I can to come back to you. Even if it’s just for one night of the year on Tanabata. And I wouldn’t let a shower of rain stop me either. Not even the Electro Archon would be able to stop me.”

Despite his sad and somewhat fatalistic words, you smiled for him.

“I know you would, my darling. And even if something prevented you from getting back, I’d never think it was because you’d abandoned me.”

He smiled weakly and gave you a faint nod in agreement before leaning in to kiss you again, this time a little more passionately, letting his tongue slowly and deeply entwine with yours. You flinched slightly as a raindrop hit your face, causing you both to look skywards.

“Oh no...” you said softly, seeing that the stars had become obscured by thick clouds.

Enjou smiled. “Perhaps Orihime made it over to meet him earlier tonight, but now the river’s too high for her to go back to her father.”

You laughed softly at his optimism. It was a nice way of thinking about it.

“Let’s get home before it gets heavier.” he said, quickly rising to his feet and holding his hand out to help you up.

With hasty steps, the two of you made your way back up the mountain to spend the night in each other’s embrace.

[moonlight-selkie]

Himeko - Refs - Other Stuff

Kichiya Knot:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Everyday Kimono - Iromuji - Furisode

Bunko Knot:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Yukata - Usumono / Natsumono: - Komon - Cropped Kimono

Karuta Musubi / Card Knot:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Autuam Kimono - Tsukesage - "Ball Gown" Kimono Otaiko Musubi / Nagoya Obi:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Winter Kimono - Tsukesage - Houmongi - Irotomesode Hitotu / Darari Masubi:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Susohiki / Hikizuri - "Evening Gown" Kimono Double Bow Musubi:

Kimonos that use this style are: - Bell Skirt Style Kimono - Short Skirt Furisode

Left:

The following items hear Himeko has had since the Edo Period:

- Kinchaku Bag - Coin Purse - Hakoseko Pouch (for cosmetics) - Kiseru Pipe + Tobacco Pouch - Combs + Comb Boxes - Hanko Set - Sensu Fans + Fan Cases - Uchiwa Fans

Right:

The following Items are ones Himeko has had since the Meiji Period

- Gamaguchi Purse - Notebooks + Fountain Pen - Pocket Watch - Pocket Mirror - Handkerchief

The following Items are ones Himeko has had in recent years (modern day)

- Phone - Headphones + Headphone Case - Keys + Keyrings - Hand Sanitizer + Hand Cream - Clutch Bag

[phoenix-downer]

Festival Memories

~1770 words. Sora/Kairi. Post-Canon. Kairi POV. Romance, Fluff, Festival Fun. For @hollypollly.

Summary: Sora and Kairi enjoy a summer festival together and think about their past...and discuss their future.

The red and yellow festival lanterns bobbed lightly along their strings, casting flickering shadows on the hot summer streets. Colorful food stalls lined the thoroughfare with everything from takoyaki and okonomiyaki to snow cones, candied fruit, and chocolate bananas. A symphony of delicious smells hit Kairi’s nose all at once, and her stomach growled. The hawkers she and Sora passed peddled their wares, promising special bargains and cheap prices if only they’d be willing to part with a few hundred munny. 

Kairi fanned herself as she took everything in, grateful for the personal breeze her orange uchiwa with pretty flowers provided. Her pink yukata with a floral design reminiscent of Destiny’s Embrace was held in place with a magenta obi, or belt, plus an obijime cord tied in a beautiful flower shape, and her hair was swept into an updo and carefully framed with a floral kanzashi barrette. Sora wore a black yukata with a red dragon and gold crown motif and a tan obi belt, and she thought he looked quite handsome. It was her first time visiting this world with him, and a lot of its traditions reminded her of home. He eyed a nearby food stall that promised ringoame, a special type of candied apple not unlike what you could find at festivals back home. 

“Kai? You want one too?” he asked, his eyes locked onto one of the deep red treats on a stick with the same intensity he locked onto an enemy combatant with. The crunchy hard candy surrounding the sweet delicious apple looked amazing, but Kairi had spotted something else she’d rather try.

“I’m actually thinking I’d like to go for some candied strawberries,” she said. “But here, let me grab some munny for us both.”

Their yukatas made carrying normal purses and wallets a bit cumbersome, so Kairi carried a special little bag called a kinchaku that matched her yukata and held their munny and other necessities. She pulled several hundred munny out of it, and she and Sora got in line for the candied fruit. A few minutes later, they were the proud owners of their desired sweets. The skewers meant they could eat them standing up, but Sora still steered her towards a little seating area with picnic benches. 

Once they were settled in, they both took a crunchy bite of their treats. Kairi hummed happily as the delicious flavor filled her mouth, the contrast between the crunchy outer candy shell and soft succulent strawberry the perfect combination. 

“How’s yours?” she asked Sora presently. 

“Delicious,” Sora said, little bits of crunchy candy, juicy apple, and red food dye lining the corners of his mouth. 

Kairi giggled into her hand. “I can tell, you’re wearing it beautifully.” She pulled a handkerchief out of her kinchaku, and his pout turned into a big, smitten smile as she gently wiped his face. 

“Thank you, I try my best,” he joked, and she grinned.

“I know you do. And hey, it’s just a sign you’re really enjoying the candied apple.” She looked at her own sticky hands. “There’s no dignified way to eat festival food.” 

“Exactly.” He rested his hand on his cheek and gazed at her, sighing happily. 

“What?” she asked, the heat creeping up her cheeks. 

“Here we are, at this nice festival together…You look fantastic and we’re making important financial decisions together…” At this she snickered and he grinned. “And here you are, looking out for me after I got candy smeared all over my face. Wouldn’t you say we’re acting pretty married?” he teased. His eyes were sparkling and his lips twitching, but something about his expression told her the playfulness was a front for something entirely serious. 

“You could say that,” she coyly replied. She reached for her uchiwa and fanned herself. Sora had been dropping more and more hints about marriage lately, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. They were still so young and got called away on missions so frequently that their future together seemed like a far-off dream. 

“And we are eighteen now and the coming-of-age ceremony got lowered to eighteen last year on Destiny Islands,” he pointed out. 

“Right,” she agreed. “Riku is technically an adult and so are we. It’s a scary thought,” she teased, a mock serious expression on her face as she shook her head. 

“Which means we could technically get married if we wanted…”

Her heart thudded in her chest, pulsing out a rhythm like the taiko drums from the performance they’d watched earlier. She searched his face as the seconds ticked by. Was he serious about this, or—

“Kidding!” he said, his eyes sparkling, and she chuckled awkwardly. Right, of course he was kidding. He was the same old goofball she knew and loved, and he wasn’t about to give up his life of adventure for things like mortgages and full-time jobs and staying rooted to one spot anytime soon. 

“R-Right. Imagine us, getting married,” she weakly replied, trying to make it sound like a joke but not quite succeeding. A strange sinking feeling settled in her stomach like a pebble falling to the bottom of a pond and settling there. Maybe she hadn’t wanted it to be a joke after all. 

Something flickered through Sora’s eyes, and his smile turned pained and his head drooped. Maybe he hadn’t wanted it to be a joke either. Maybe he’d just buried his true feelings beneath a layer of teasing.

It was so hard to get him to be honest sometimes. To peel back the “Hero of the Keyblade” facade so she could see the true Sora lying underneath. In his more vulnerable moments he’d admitted to her that his joking, larger-than-life persona was his way of coping with everything fate had thrown at him. Fortunately, he trusted her enough to let her see his true self. So she patiently waited for him to take off the mask when he was ready.

He studied his hands. Bigger than hers and strong and calloused from years of fighting, yet so gentle and tender with her. “Then again, maybe it’s not so hard to imagine,” he finally said, his voice low. “We’ve been dating for several years now. Ever since we shared the paopu fruit. Maybe it wouldn’t be so crazy.” 

She smiled softly. “Maybe it wouldn’t be.” 

He met her eyes. “I mean, our fates are already bound together for eternity if the paopu legend is true. Marriage wouldn’t be much different from that, would it?” He scratched his chin. “If anything, I think marriage might be a little less serious…”

She giggled. “Yeah, we really jumped into things, didn’t we? But I don’t regret it.” 

“Me either,” he said, then smiled at her, a big, heartfelt Sora smile. In her more anxious moments, she wondered if he ever did have any regrets. If one day he’d wake up and decide that all the trouble he’d gone through to be with her wasn’t worth it anymore. But then he’d say things like this and put her mind and heart at ease, and she felt safe in their love once more. 

A loud call sounded out, and his eyes lit up. “That must be the call for the dance. C’mon, Kairi, let’s join them!”

He led her over to where a yagura, or tower-like wooden scaffolding, rose above the crowds. On top of the yagura was a group of musicians and singers, and paper lanterns were strung from the yagura to nearby stakes with carefully-placed string. Underneath the yagura was a group of dancers moving clockwise around it to the music, repeating a sequence of steps over and over as they did. Sora and Kairi joined the fray, carefully watching the people around them to pick up the steps. After a few fumbles they started to get the hang of it, moving their arms and legs in the patterns of the Bon Odori, or Bon Dance.

From what Sora had told her, the entire festival was meant to honor one’s ancestors, and the Bon Dance in particular was meant to welcome the spirits of the dead to their ancestral homes. It was said that they came to visit their graves every year, and the dance was a celebration of that. The festivities reminded Kairi of a similar festival on Destiny Islands. Perhaps the two worlds had once been close to each other before the one World had split apart for there to be so many cultural similarities. 

As she and Sora made loop after loop around the yagura, her thoughts wandered. In a way, he had “died,” and so had she. And yet they’d found each other and had brought each other back to the Realm of Light. Back home. And now they were dancing to this fun, loud music with dozens of other people, and she could see why legends like this had developed, why the living might want to remember the dead with song and dance. 

Sora glanced at her as she waved her uchiwa in the distinctive movements she’d learned tonight and smiled. 

“What is it?” she called out, trying to make her voice heard over the din of the music and singing of the crowd. 

“I’m glad you’re here with me,” he called back. 

She smiled. “I am too.”

They continued to dance until they both grew so hot and sweaty they needed a break and a drink of water. They got a couple of bottles from one of the food stalls and wandered down a less crowded street, holding hands. The sounds of the dance floated to their ears, but things were quieter here by one of the town’s many canals, and a nice breeze from it cooled them off. The paper lanterns swayed along their strings, and Kairi sighed happily and leaned her head against Sora’s shoulder. 

“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said softly. He always made sure their dates were special. 

“My pleasure,” was his tender response. Their lives were hectic between their missions and trying to finish school and balancing all that with filial commitments and their relationship. But she knew she wanted to be a part of his life no matter what. And so they carved out what little chunks of time they could to make enough precious memories to get them through the next separation. To last them till the next reunion. 

Someday soon, they’d be reunited for good. And then any happily ever afters would, at long last, be on the horizon. 

Until then, she’d make the most of the moments they had together and dream about their future. 

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A/N: Happy Birthday to @hollypollly! This story is dedicated to her and is based off of some artwork she recently did of Sora and Kairi at a summer festival (which included her beautiful yukata designs). Thank you for everything, Holley—you’re a caring person, an amazing artist, and a wonderful storyteller. Each of your pieces says so much, and your writing always pulls me in too. Thank you for the inspiration, and I hope you have a wonderful day and an awesome year ❤️ 

Also, thank you to @scoobysnack1107​ and @angel-with-a-pipette​ for reading over the story for me ❤️

And to everyone else, as always, thank you for reading! 

[cheltranslations]

#MStation SUPERLIVE2023 @Nonaka Miki (23.12.22)

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Have you eaten oden recently

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I like daikon、chikuwabu、

And mochi kinchaku oden 🌠

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[tsunflowers]

I think that you can still have a fulfilling oden without meat in it if you’re not bothered by the broth being meat-based.  Oden, hard boiled egg, daikon, and fried tofu skin are still pretty substantial, especially if your Asian grocery has mochi kinchaku, which could be a decently hearty stand-in for fish cake.

Source:  There’s some ingredient in most fish cakes that I’m allergic to, but my family ate oden regularly growing up.

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I have to go looking for mochi kinchaku now bc I really want to eat it... I’ve only ever had plain aburaage in kitsune udon